HIS LIFE AND TIMES

■ BORN in Northumberland, 1933 and became a property developer.

■ TOOK over Newcastle United in 1992. Appointed Kevin Keegan, who took them from Second Division relegation fears to Premier League title-contenders.

■ HALL also bought local clubs in rugby union, basketball and ice hockey.

■ PASSED chairmanship of club to Freddy Shepherd in 1997 and sold his stake to Mike Ashley for £55million in 2007.